RewardExpert.com is an independent website that is supported by advertising. RewardExpert.com may be compensated by credit card issuers whose offers appear on the site. Because we are paid by our advertising partners it may impact placement of products on the site, including the order in which they appear. Not all available credit card issuers or card offers are included on the site.

Best 0% Interest Credit Cards of 2018

Jennifer Blocker

Updated on: 03/15/2018

Although I recommend never carrying a balance on a credit card, there are times when it may be necessary. When unforeseen circumstances arise, you might have to spend beyond your means. Credit cards can offer you a lifeline in an emergency. If you need to finance a large purchase, a credit card with 0% interest is one of the best options. Many of these cards will give you at least a year to pay and some may give you up to 21 months of interest-free financing. They are a much better choice than store cards or special financing, which can leave you with an unexpected lump sum of interest to pay. Wouldn’t it be better to get rewards instead?

8 Top Rated 0% Credit Cards

When you use your credit cards right, they can be extremely rewarding. Beyond just getting points or miles, 0% interest cards can help you buy the things you need when you might not be able to purchase them outright, all while avoiding interest. As we know, paying interest negates the value of rewards. And although I never advise spending beyond your means, there are circumstances which may make this necessary. Don’t settle for just any card, compare the rewards and benefits that come with a variety of cards to find the best one for you. The details can be crucial, especially when it comes to making a big purchase. You can’t use the benefits and maximize your rewards if you don’t know what they are.

Choose your payment date:

Free FICO credit score:

Why should you get this card?

Saving on Purchases:
With the 0% introductory APR, all purchases you make – whether big or small – won’t accrue any
interest charges during the promotional interest period. This is especially convenient if you
have an unexpected expense, or maybe your income is seasonal or varies from month to month.
As long as you make the minimum payment each month, your 0% introductory period will continue.

Saving on Balance Transfers:
The Simplicity card not only comes with a great intro APR for purchases, but it also extends
to any balance transfer you complete within the first four months of being approved. Once you
initiate your balance transfer, it can take Citi up to 14 days to complete the payment to your
other bank, but then that transferred balance will also have a 0% interest rate.

Our Expert's Conclusion

The Citi Simplicity card is consumer friendly, offering benefits not commonly found with other
credit cards. Once approved, all your purchases for the first 21 billing cycles will not accrue
any interest charges. Additionally, if you make a balance transfer within the first four months
of opening your account, that balance will also get up to 21 months of no interest. Both are
amazing offers!

How does this work? Your interest rate for those 21 months is set at 0% as opposed to a low or
standard credit card interest rate. Don’t get carried away, though, because you still have a
credit limit, and after those 21 months are up, you have to start paying interest on any remaining
balance.

10.99% intro APR for 14 months from date of first transfer, for transfers under this offer that post to your account by June 10, 2018

Regular APR

13.24% to 24.24%
Variable±

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Program

Discover it® Miles Rewards

Bonuses & Rewards

1.5Miles on Airfare Purchases

1.5Miles on Hotels

1.5Miles on Gas

1.5Miles on All Other Purchases

Unlimited 1.5X rewards on every purchase offer

Miles earned are matched at the end of the first year of cardmembership

We will reimburse up to $30 of your in-flight Wi-Fi purchases each year with automatic credits to your statement

No Foreign Transaction Fee

Travel Benefits

$30 In-Flight Wi-Fi Access

You will be reimbursed for up to $30 in purchases of wireless internet access on an aircraft per anniversary year. The statement credit will be issued for the purchase amount in U.S. dollars within seven business days.

No Foreign Transaction Fees

The Discover miles card does not charge foreign transaction fees so you can rest easy when you are abroad.

Why should you get this card?

Great Earning Potential:
You always earn 1.5 miles per dollar spent,
which equates to 1.5 percent cash back.
Don’t settle for 1 percent! The Discover it Miles card is better.

Miles Can be Redeemed for Anything:
You don’t have to wait until you have travel coming up to use your miles. Even though the
Discover it Miles card earns Miles, it is a cash back card.

Miles Doubled for the First Year:
At the end of your first year as a card member, Discover will match all of the miles you’ve earned!

$30 in Annual Wi-Fi Credits:
Next time you have a long flight you can purchase Wi-Fi and have Discover cover the cost
up to $30 per year.

Our Expert's Conclusion

The Discover it Miles card is wonderful for two types of people. The first, and most obvious,
is for someone looking for a single credit card that’s easy to use and that can do it all. The Discover it Miles card is a
great option because it earns 1.5
miles per dollar spent on all purchases and redemptions areone cent per mile toward any purchase. Plus thereare a couple
of other nice benefits, like $30 in annual Wi-Fi credits and no foreign transaction fees.
As a no-fee card, all of that is essentially free.

The second type of person that the Discover it Miles card is a great option for is someone
who is looking to truly maximize rewards. The Discover it is basically a no-brainer for the
first year because all miles are doubled , meaning that it effectively earns 3 miles per
dollar spent (1.5 when you purchase
and 1.5 at the end of the year).
After the first year it deserves a spot in the wallet of someone who wants to maximize rewards for purchases not included
in the bonus earning categories of their other rewards credit cards.

0% introductory APR for 21 months from date of first transfer when transfers are completed within 4 months from date of account opening

Regular APR

14.24% to 24.24%
Variable±

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Program

Citi® Diamond Preferred®

Bonuses & Rewards

3% of each foreign transaction in US dollars

%$5 or 5% balance transfer fee

Why should you get this card?

Saving on Balance Transfers: Transferring balances from credit cards or other debts
on which you are paying interest is a great way to save some money. However, the Citi Diamond Preferred card charges
a fee of $5 or 3 percent of the balance, whichever is greater, when you conduct a balance transfer. So you should be
sure the interest savings are greater than the balance transfer fee before you make this decision. In addition, balance
transfers must be completed within the first four months of account opening in order to qualify for the promotional 0% APR.

Saving on Purchases: The savings available on new purchases are arguably the best use
of the introductory 0% APR. This is because new purchases, unlike balance transfers, do not come up with an upfront fee.
Therefore, you can use this feature to completely avoid interest and fees as long as you pay off the entire balance
before the 21-month 0% APR period is over. You must make at least the minimum payment to maintain the promotional rate.

Our Expert's Conclusion

The primary benefit of the Citi Diamond Preferred card is the 21-month introductory 0% APR. This benefit is very useful for people
trying to get out of debt or for people anticipating a large purchase which they would like to pay off over time without incurring
interest charges.

If you are currently paying a high interest rate on another credit card and have a considerable balance, transferring that
balance to the Citi Diamond Preferred card could result in significant savings. If you are in debt, interest payments and late
fees can make paying off your credit card balance seem difficult because these fees offset any potential reduction in the principal.
However, making a balance transfer to a credit card with a 0% intro APR can be a successful strategy for reducing your debt.

Since the Citi Diamond Preferred card has a 21-month 0% APR period, you can essentially take your current balance and divide by
21 to determine how much you will have to pay each month in order to pay the debt off completely before interest charges begin.

20,000 bonus miles once you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 months.

No Foreign Transaction Fee

+No cap to the amount of rewards you can earn

Travel Benefits

Travel Upgrades and Savings:

Free upgrades and discounts at select hotels and resorts are part of the Visa Signature card benefits.

Complimentary Concierge Service:

Enjoy free assistance 24-hours a day, even while you’re traveling.

No Foreign Transaction Fee:

Use your card anywhere in the world and never pay additional fees.

Why should you get this card?

Great Earning Potential:
You’ll get bonus points for every purchase you make. No matter what you buy,
you’ll earn 1.25
miles for every dollar spent. Those miles will add up fast.

Hassle-Free Redemptions:
Miles can be applied to any travel purchases, not just airfare. On top of that,
you don’t have to worry about blackout dates or limited award space because you
buy the travel you want and then apply miles to the purchase.

No Annual Fee:
It’s hard to be a rewards card that does not charge an annual fee. Every reward
you earn is essentially free!

Sign-Up Bonus:
For a no-fee card, 20,000
miles is an excellent sign-up bonus. It’s worth $200
in travel. All you have to do is spend $1,000
during the first three months you have the card.

Our Expert's Conclusion

If you’re looking for a no-fee rewards card that offers a solid sign-up bonus and hassle-free redemptions,
than the the VentureOne card from Capital One is a great option. You’ll get 20,000
miles worth $200 for spending
just $1,000 in 90 days, plus you’ll
earn a generous 1.25 miles per dollar for every purchase.

Getting the card is a risk-free proposition because it won’t cost you a penny. Whatever miles you earn with
the card are pure profit because there aren’t any fees. You can even use the card while traveling internationally,
since there are no foreign transaction fees either.

0% intro APR for 14 months from date of first transfer, for transfers under this offer that post to your account by April 10, 2018

Regular APR

12.24% to 24.24%
Variable±

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Program

Cashback Bonus®

Bonuses & Rewards

%5% in rotating categories each quarter like Gas, Dining, Amazon.com, Wholesale Clubs and more

%1% on Travel

%1% on Groceries

%1% on All Other Purchases

Up to 5% cash back offer

Discover automatically matches all the cash back you earn dollar for dollar at the end of your first year

No Foreign Transaction Fee

%3% balance transfer fee

Travel Benefits

No Foreign Transaction Fee:

You won’t be hit with any additional fees for using your Discover card while traveling internationally.

Why should you get this card?

Cashback Match:
After your first year, Discover will double all of the cash back you earned with no cap!

Good Earning Potential:
The Discover it card earns 5% back on quarterly rotating categories that include things like dining and gas stations, and 1% back on all other purchases.

Hassle-Free Redemptions:
Your cash back is worth what you think it is, and there are no minimums or category restrictions to your redemptions.

No Annual Fee:
You’ll never have to pay anything for this card. That means all the rewards you earn are essentially free. How can you beat that?

Our Expert's Conclusion

Discover it is a solid credit card that should be in just about everybody’s wallet. The card offers a great five percent return on categories that rotate quarterly, and one percent back on all other purchases. The first year as a cardholder can be really good for your bank account because all the rewards you earn will be doubled by Discover, with no limit!

In addition to being a great everyday earner, the Discover it card doesn’t have an annual fee and doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees if you want to use the card abroad. Redeeming cash back is super simple with no minimum redemption amount and no restrictions about what you can use the cash back for.

0% introductory APR for 15 months from date of first transfer when transfers are completed within 4 months from date of account opening

Regular APR

14.74% to 24.74%
Variable±

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Program

ThankYou®

Bonuses & Rewards

2xPoints on Dining and Entertainment

1xPoints on Gas

1xPoints on Travel

1xPoints on All Other Purchases

3% of each purchase transaction in US dollars

Travel Benefits

Citi Private Pass:

Get special access to tickets to many concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more, including presale and VIP packages.

Foreign Transaction Fee:

You’ll pay a 3% fee for each transaction not in U.S. dollars.

Citi Concierge:

Specially-trained staff members are ready to help you with travel, shopping, dining, entertainment and everyday needs.

Why should you get this card?

Great Earning Potential: You’ll get bonus points on all purchases in the dining and entertainment categories. Before you know it, you’ll have a stash of points
after a few nights out on the town.

No Annual Fees: Earning rewards is fast, easy and costs nothing. They say that nothing in this world is free, except cheese in a mouse trap… and, apparently, ThankYou points.

0% APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases for 12 months: Although I do not recommend opening a new credit card while carrying
debt, it’s nice to have the option to consolidate balances and pay them off within a year with no
interest.

Points Don’t Expire: There’s no limit to the number of points you can earn, and points don’t expire as long as the card is open. No annual fees make holding on to this card a no-brainer.

Our Expert's Conclusion

If you’re looking for a credit card that has no annual fee and earns bonus points in multiple
categories, then the Citi ThankYou Preferred card is a good option. It’s also a great card for
someone who wants to start earning rewards but is intimidated by complicated redemption options
and point transfers.

Applying for this card costs nothing and you won’t pay a dime to keep it year after year.
There’s absolutely no risk for the cardholder. Earning points means rewards at no cost.

2x ThankYou® Points per dollar spent on purchases for dining at restaurants and entertainment.

1x ThankYou® Point per $1 spent on other purchases.

Points do not expire and earn unlimited ThankYou® Points.

Redeem ThankYou Points for almost anything, from a large selection of gift cards including dining, entertainment and retail — to an amazing selection of valuable rewards such as electronics, travel rewards, home goods, books and media, charitable donations or even cash.

0% Intro APR for the first 15 billing cycles that your Account is open

Intro APR on Balance Transfers

0% Intro APR for the first 15 billing cycles that your Account is open

Regular APR

16.24% to 24.99%
Variable±

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Program

Ultimate Rewards®

Bonuses & Rewards

%5% cash back each quarter on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in that quarter's bonus categories

%1% on All Other Purchases

$150 bonus after you spend $500 in the first 3 months

$25 bonus after you add your first authorized user and make your first purchase within this same 3-month period

3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Featured Benefits

Foreign Transaction Fee:

Best to leave this one at home when you travel abroad. You’ll be a 3% fee on all
international transactions.

Why should you get this card?

Awesome Earning Potential:
You’ll get 5 points per dollar spent in rotating bonus categories. The categories, which
typically include everyday expenses like gas, dining out and groceries, change every quarter.

No Annual Fee:
With no annual fee, the Freedom card is easy to add to your arsenal of rewards cards.
It’s also great for building credit since you can keep it forever at no cost and increase the age of your credit.

Compliments Other Ultimate Rewards Cards:
It’s easy and free to transfer the points you earn with this card to other UR cards. And if you have a
premium UR card, like the Sapphire Preferred, you’ll get even more value out of your points.

Our Expert's Conclusion

The short answer is yes! With no annual fee and impressive earning potential, this card is
really a no-brainer. Even if you don’t have a premium Ultimate Rewards card, the Chase Freedom
is still an excellent cashback card.

The only drawback is that it takes a little bit of work to get the most out of this card.
You have to register every quarter for the bonus categories, and you have to remember what
they are when you’re making purchases. You don’t want to use this card for all of your spending
because it earns only one point per dollar in non-bonus categories.

Travel Benefits

Citi Concierge:

Save time when searching for travel, dining options, entertainment tickets or shopping ideas by enlisting help of the Citi Concierge service.

Reduced Mileage Awards:

Save between 1,000 and 5,000 miles when booking one-way and round-trip flights on select routes.

In Flight Savings:

Receive a 25% discount for in-flight food and beverage purchases when you use your AAdvantage card on American Airlines flights.

Why should you get this card?

Sign-Up Bonus:
The card has a 25,000 -mile bonus.
That’s enough to book one round-trip flight within the U.S. or to the Caribbean.

Low Spending Requirement:
Speaking of, the minimum spending requirement for the sign-up bonus is only $750,
which is low for an airline card.

Reduced Mileage Awards:
Cardholders can save anywhere between 1,000 and 5,000 miles per ticket when they redeem
for flights to select destinations that vary month to month.

Low Annual Fee:
Most airline cards charge $95 to be a card member, but this card charges just $50.
And the fee is waived for the first year.

Our Expert's Conclusion

If you occasionally fly on American Airlines and are looking for an entry-level airline card
with a low annual fee, then the Citi / AAdvantage Gold World Elite MasterCard might be for you. However,
keep in mind that the card does not offer all of the benefits you might expect from a co-branded airline card, such as free bags, priority boarding or waived foreign transaction fees.

Aside from the sign-up bonus, the best benefit of this card is
access to Reduced Mileage Awards that let you save miles when booking saver-level flights to select
destinations. If you fly with AA at least two or three times per year and are OK with paying a higher annual
fee of $95, then the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard might be better option
because it offers free checked bags, priority boarding and redemption rebates.

Earn 25,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after making $750 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on purchases.

Redeem your AAdvantage® miles for a domestic round–trip flight award on American Airlines and American Eagle® carriers for as little as 25,000 AAdvantage® miles.

No blackout dates on award travel on American Airlines and American Eagle® carriers.

Receive a 25% savings on eligible in–flight food and beverage purchases when you use your card.

Save up to 5,000 AAdvantage® miles. Use Reduced Mileage Awards and travel for fewer miles.

Annual Fee: $50 (Fee waived for the first 12 months).

Compare 0% Interest Credit Cards

If you're making a big purchase consider a card that offers 0% on purchases for a year or more. Avoid interest payments while
you pay off the charges. We rank the cards here by interest rates and annual fees for comparison.

Disney® Premier Visa® Card

0% Promo APR for the first six billing cycles following the purchase date on select Disney vacation packages or purchase of a real estate interest, including a Member Add On, in a Disney Vacation Club® Resort, provided your account is not past due on the purchase date

Disney® Visa® Card

0% Promo APR for the first six billing cycles following the purchase date on select Disney vacation packages or purchase of a real estate interest, including a Member Add On, in a Disney Vacation Club® Resort, provided your account is not past due on the purchase date

The Do’s and Don’ts of Choosing and Using a 0% Credit Card

To get the most benefit and rewards from a credit card with a 0% introductory APR, it is important to use it right. Those cards not only give you the ability to charge big items without interest, but they can also save you a major headache if an expensive purchase is stolen or damaged. Some cards provide purchase protections and extended warranties. The following is a list of do’s and don’ts for choosing and using your new interest-free credit card.

Do’s

Comparison Shop:

Like you would for anything else you might obtain, you want to shop around for your credit card before you decide. Get to know the varying benefits and rewards these cards offer. These can be especially important when it comes to making a large purchase.

Don’t just jump on an offer that came in the mail because it says you are pre-approved. That is not a guarantee you will get that card. Compare not only the rewards and benefits, but also bonuses, fees and, most importantly, the term limits on the 0% intro period. Set yourself a budget and figure out how long it will take to pay off the card.

Use Your Card for Big Purchases:

A 0% APR credit card is one of the best ways to finance a large purchase. One of the options I would caution against is using a store credit card that advertises interest-free or special financing. These cards usually use a practice called deferred interest. This means that if you do not pay your entire balance in full within the allotted timeframe, you can end up paying a lump sum of interest. You can be charged interest all the way back to the original date of purchase, and store cards have notoriously high interest rates. If you use a 0% interest credit card that earns rewards, you can earn a bunch of rewards instead of paying for a bunch of interest.

Get Purchase Protection:

Many credit cards come with purchase protection. This benefit is especially valuable when you are making a large purchase. Most major issuers, including Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express, offer purchase protection and extended warranty services. Your card can insure your purchase for a period of about 90 days against theft or damage.

While many items may come with warranties that offer a certain amount of protection against damage, you typically won’t be able to get your item replaced in the case of theft if you pay with cash. Visa and Discover will reimburse up to $500, while MasterCard and Amex gives up to $1,000 per item for up to about $50,000 per year. All American Express and Discover cards have this feature. However, purchase protection is only available on the top-of-the-line Visa Signature and World or World Elite MasterCards.

The good news is that these cards may also come with the ability to extend the manufacturer’s warranty. They basically double the time period of the original warranty for up to one year. They will repair, replace or reimburse you for your item. A major difference between Visa and MasterCard’s extended warranty service is the amount that they cover. Visa Signature will reimburse up to $10,000, while a World Elite MasterCard has a cap of just $500.

Double Dip:

Double dipping is when you earn rewards with both a store’s loyalty program and your credit card from the same purchase. In most cases, it is not necessary to have the store credit card to earn rewards with their program. Store credit cards have notoriously high interest rates and I caution against using them.

If you are lucky enough to have a debit card that earns rewards, you can do a triple dip and use your reward earning debit card to pay off your reward earning credit card. That way you get rewarded three ways: from the store loyalty program, your credit card and your debit card. However, reward earning debit cards are hard to come by nowadays.

Set Up Auto Pay:

Set up automatic payments for your credit card to withdraw the minimum due every month. This can help avoid missed payments. Missing a payment could cause you to lose your promotional interest rate, as well as cause your credit score to take a hit. However, I would recommend paying more than the minimum if you can. This will help ensure that you pay off your debt by the time the 0% introductory rate expires.

Make Balance Transfers:

If you have a card with a 0% introductory period on purchases, you can use it to save money on outstanding balances you may have on other cards. If you make a balance transfer on a card that isn’t charging interest on new purchases, the rate will apply to the balance transfer as well. This can also help you consolidate your debt.

Try to keep your card balance below 30 percent of the overall credit limit on your card. Using more than 30 percent on a card can negatively affect your credit score. This is known as your credit utilization, and the higher it gets, the more of an impact it can have on your score.

Don’ts

Don’t Maintain a Balance After the Introductory Period:

Once the 0% promotional period is over, you do not want to carry a balance on your card. If you haven’t paid off your entire balance by the end of the introductory period, consider a balance transfer. A balance transfer will usually cost between 3 and 5 percent of the amount transferred. So take into consideration the amount you still have to pay, the interest rate being charged and how long you think it will take to pay off. If you think it will take six months or more, a balance transfer can save you a significant amount of money.

Also, don’t finance something close to the end of the introductory period. If you had an 18 month 0% interest rate, don’t make a large purchase at the 16-month mark that you know is going to take a year to pay off. Instead, get a new card with a 0% introductory rate and use it instead.

You can also transfer the balance from the old card to the new one, if you still need time to pay it off. You will have to pay a balance transfer fee, which is usually between 3 and 5 percent, but you will save money on interest fees because your transfer will be treated like a new purchase and receive the promotional rate.

It is possible to avoid interest after the promotional period is over. Just pay your credit card bill in full each month within the grace period, which is usually about 21 days from the statement date.

Don’t Get Cash Advances:

Never use a 0% credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM. You will pay interest on cash advances, since they do not count as new purchases. Your zero-interest introductory rate will usually apply to new purchases and balance transfers, but not cash advances. Also, interest rates are incredibly high for cash advances.

Don’t Apply for a Card You Might Not Get:

You should find out what your credit score is and what score is required before applying for a new card. For instance, if your credit score is fair, don’t apply for a card that requires good or excellent credit. Between the hard inquiry pulled by the card company and the credit denial, your fair credit score could drop several notches, which you can’t afford.

Don’t Close the Card:

After your introductory period expires, don’t close your card account. Other lenders like to see multiple open lines of credit. To have an optimal credit score, you should have at least 11 credit lines, and over 21 is ideal. They do not all have to be credit cards, but they are a good way to get your numbers up. More lines of credit also help your overall credit limit. You should try to keep your debt-to-credit rate at 30 percent or less or your total credit limit.

In a case where your card has an annual fee, you may want to close it if you are not going to take full advantage of the rewards and benefits it has to offer. However, paying an annual fee can be worth it in many cases, especially when it comes to travel credit cards. The benefits and bonuses usually far outweigh the fees when you use your card right.

Don’t Splurge:

I know it’s tempting, but having a credit card with a 0% APR doesn’t mean that it’s time for a shopping spree. When you spend beyond your means you end up in debt. Using a card for a large purchase and splurging are very different.

Sometimes you need something, but you don’t have all the necessary funds. If you have it in your budget to pay for it over time, that’s when you should use your new card to finance the purchase. Splurging, on the other hand, is unnecessary spending, like hitting the mall and buying a bunch of stuff you don’t need just because you can. We have all been guilty of it from time to time.

FAQs

Need more info? Check out our frequently asked questions.
If you have other questions, don't hesitate to leave a comment below.

There is no such thing as a good interest rate. Paying interest should be avoided at all costs. Typical interest rates on consumer credit cards range between 13 to 24 percent. Some cards may offer a low APR for an introductory or promotional period, which may be a good option if you know you will need more time than a 0% APR card offers. The best option will ultimately depend on the interest rate, the length of time it’ll take to pay off and the amount of the balance.

However, I am a big fan of no interest. I strongly suggest doing a balance transfer to another card with a promotional interest rate. Although it will cost between 3 and 5 percent of the amount you transfer, it will still usually save you money. And keep in mind that you can do a balance transfer on a card that offers 0% on purchases and still get the interest-free promotional rate.

To be eligible for the best credit cards with interest-free introductory rates, you will need at least good credit. These great rates and offers aren’t as plentiful as they used to be, and credit card companies are more selective now than in the past.

Even with excellent credit your options aren’t limitless as one can encounter bank-specific regulations. The Chase 5/24 rule, for instance, states that if you have applied for more than five cards in a 24-month period, they can turn you down. This does not only apply to Chase cards. This applies to all cards you have applied for in the past 24 months.

If you have fair credit, try cards that are specifically aimed at your score. That’s especially true if your credit is borderline good. You can’t afford to lose any points due to a hard inquiry and a denied application. If you are denied for a card, remember to always call the reconsideration line. This can result in a reversal of their decision. In any case, you can at least find out why you were denied.

The best no-interest credit card will depend on how you are going to use it. When comparing 0% APR cards, you need to know how much you plan on spending and how long it will take to pay it off. When you opt for a longer zero-interest period, you might forgo some rewards. A slightly shorter period may present more reward opportunities.

Some of the credit cards that include a 0% introductory APR will offer it for six months after opening your account, while other cards may offer 0% APR for 15 months or even longer. Although the 0% interest period may be longer on some cards, certain features, including the rewards offered by the card or the post-introductory interest rate, may also play a part in your decision.

For example, the Citi Diamond Preferred card comes with a 0% introductory APR for 21 months on purchases and balance transfers. This card happens to have one of the longest 0% introductory APR periods available, but it offers no rewards. After the 21-month period is over, this card will have a variable APR of 13.49 to 23.49 percent. The rate you get will be based on your credit score.

On the other hand, a card with a shorter promotional term may have better rewards. The Costco Anywhere Visa from Citi and the VentureOne and Quicksilver cards from Capital One all come with shorter introductory periods with 0% APR, but they offer a lot more rewards.

The Costco Anywhere Visa comes with a 0% APR on purchases for just seven months, but you can collect cash back on all the purchases you make with the card. You can earn 4 percent cash back on up to $7,000 in gas purchases, 3 percent back at restaurants and for eligible travel purchases, 2 percent back on purchases from Costco, and 1 percent back on all other purchases.

The VentureOne card has a 0% intro APR for the first 12 months and it allows you to collect 1.25 miles for every dollar spent. This card also awards you with 20,000 bonus miles for spending $1,000 within the first three months of opening your account. Once the 0% APR period is over, the card will have a variable APR of 12.99 to 22.99 percent, depending on your credit history.

Due to the different factors involved, deciding which 0% credit card is the best can only be determined by the person applying for the card. Much of the decision will depend on how and where you plan to use the card. But more importantly, you have to figure out how much you plan on spending and how long you think it will take to pay for it.

Some credit cards that offer a 0% introductory APR on purchases also offer some form of purchase protection. If your card qualifies for purchase protection, all the eligible purchases you make on it will be covered against theft or accidental damage for a limited time. All American Express and Discover cards have the coverage, as well as Visa Signature cards and World and World Elite MasterCards.

If a qualifying item bought on a credit card with purchase protection is damaged or stolen, you will have to submit a claim to your card issuer. If the item in question is already covered by a primary insurance policy, you must first submit a claim with them before proceeding to the credit issuer. When submitting your claim, you will be required to provide evidence to verify your purchase, including a copy of your credit card statement with the purchase and an itemized receipt from the retailer showing the purchase. In the event of a theft claim, you may be required to provide a police report.

Purchase protection is typically only available for a limited amount of time, usually about 90 days. There are some items that may not be covered, including animals and plants, gift cards and gift certificates, medical equipment, monetary instruments, permanent fixtures, perishable and consumable items, used goods, rare stamps, coins, collectibles, antiques and motorized vehicles.

Certain cards may include differing policy specifications and may refuse to accept certain claims upon submission. Some of the claims that may not be accepted include items that are lost or damaged due to careless misplacement or mysterious disappearances.

It is a good idea to be familiar with the purchase protection or extended warranty coverage your current and future cards may come with. If you plan on spending a significant amount on a single item, it is a good idea to use a credit card with interest free introductory period as well as a purchase protection plan an or extended warranty coverage. In addition, you also need to check the overall amount of coverage that your card’s policy offers. Some cards will only cover up to $500, while others will cover you for up to $10,000. If an item you buy is stolen or damaged, be sure to submit a claim as soon as possible to ensure that you are within the allotted time frame of your purchase protection period.